Matt Damon revealed he lost significant weight to portray Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic 'The Odyssey,' while co-star Mia Goth described the production as one of the greatest experiences of her life. The film, shot entirely in IMAX, reunites Damon with Nolan and features innovative filming techniques. It is set for release on July 17.
Matt Damon recently discussed his physical transformation for 'The Odyssey' on the 'New Heights' podcast with Jason Kelce. Playing the lead role of Odysseus, Damon dropped his weight from his usual 185 to 200 pounds to 167 pounds, the lightest he had been since high school. He attributed this to rigorous training, a strict gluten-free diet recommended by his doctor, and Nolan's vision for a 'lean but strong' physique. 'I lost a lot of weight. [Nolan] wanted me lean but strong,' Damon said. 'I used to walk around at between 185 and 200, and I did that whole movie at 167. And I haven’t been that light since high school. So it was a lot of training and a really strict diet.'
This marks Damon's third collaboration with Nolan, following 'Interstellar' and 'Oppenheimer.' In contrast to past roles where he gained 30 pounds for 'The Informant!' by indulging in McDonald's and beer, Damon embraced a disciplined regimen for this project. He also sported a beard for about a year during preparation.
Mia Goth, who portrays Melantho in the film, echoed the enthusiasm in interviews with Collider and the Hollywood Reporter. 'That was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It really was. It was profound,' she said. 'I’ve been such a fan of [Christopher Nolan’s] work for years. And so to have that opportunity and to witness him and how he directs was incredible. I took a lot from that. The trust that he has in actors was enlightening.'
'The Odyssey' achieved a milestone as the first Hollywood feature filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, overcoming challenges like camera noise for dialogue scenes. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema tested the format using David Bowie's 'Sound and Vision' lyrics. A new 'blimp' casing reduced noise, allowing intimate shots. Nolan praised it as a 'game-changer,' enabling 'intimate moments of performance on the world’s most beautiful format.' Production spanned locations in Greece, Iceland, and Morocco, finishing ahead of schedule thanks to Nolan's skilled crew. Damon marveled at the ambitious shoots: 'We would get there and I’d just start laughing... It was an awesome experience.'
The epic adventure opens in theaters on July 17.
